Meditation
​Meditation is about being in the present moment. Its purpose is to bring about present moment awareness. The monkey mind, or ego, does not want to “live” in the present. It prefers to obsess over past events or to worry about future ones. In this way suffering is created. All suffering is due to our own minds because we are either roiling in the past or stressing about future events.
The way out of suffering is to be in the present.
It takes time to train the mind to remain mostly in the present and whilst there are many forms of meditation, essentially their purpose is to remind the ego or monkey mind to be in present moment awareness. Focussing on the breath is the simplest, yet possibly the hardest form of meditation. You simply observe your breath. Does it go in through the left nostril? Or the right? Or both? As you breathe out, again observe, does your breath go out the left or right nostril? Or both?
It can be hard to maintain observation for even 2 breaths at first! Oh how our minds want to follow a thought! When you realise that you have lost your observation and have followed a thought or even several, simply bring yourself back to the breath. Do not beat yourself up about it, just return to the task in hand.
For many then, employing a mantra is a better way to keep the mind focused. Give it something else to think about and concentrate upon. There are many mantras and I encourage you to create your own. It can be an affirmation, a positive belief that you wish to bring into your life. It is best to keep it simple, just a few short lines, so that you will remember it.
The use of a soothing sound of some kind can help the brain to focus and not chase thoughts. Different people will find different sounds more helpful than others. White noise can be highly hypnotic. During meditation the brain enters a different state, it is the switching of brain states that helps induce the sense of peace, calm and ease.
Being vitally aware of your environment is a form of meditation and the ancient Japanese practice of “forest bathing” is a great example of this. To step slowly and meaningfully under the trees, to stop and listen. To appreciate their whisperings, look up, view how the light falls through the leaves above. Many people do not take the time to appreciate their environment, forest bathing and beach walking are great ways to do so.
Email, or text Rainbowclaire to discover which meditation you want to try.
021 0244 7907 (+64)